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The Ghost Writer aka 'The Ghost' [Blu-ray]
(, 2010)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Pathé Video: Summit Entertainment vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal
Disc: Region: 'A' (Summitt) 'B' (European) (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 2:08:29.702 / 2:08:31.670Disc Size: 37,937,664,403 bytes / 45,165,683,371 bytesFeature Size: 32,082,290,688 bytes / 30,336,055,296 bytesVideo Bitrate: 27.930 Mbps / 23.99 MbpsChapters: 18 / 12Case: Standard Blu-ray case inside a cardboard case Release date: August 3rd, 2010 / September 2010
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 2894 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2894 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
DTS-HD Master Audio English 2904 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2904
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish, none English OR German OR French, none
Extras:
• An Interview with Roman Polanski (8:38 in HD!) DVD edition on opposite side of the disc
•
The Ghost Writer: Fiction or Reality? (10:46 in HD!) • World Premiere in Berlin (1:52) • Press Conference to Berlinale (36:33 in HD!) • Interviews with McGregor (2:11), Brosnan (2:53), Harris (3:58), Olivia Williams (3:23), Polanski (8:33 in HD!) • Trailer (2:17 in HD!) • Photo Gallery (1:30 in HD!)
Bitrate: Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray TOP vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
Description: When a gifted ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) is hired to write the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), he quickly finds himself trapped in a web of political and sexual intrigue. Lang is implicated in a scandal over his administration's harsh tactics, and as the ghostwriter digs into the politician's past, he discovers secrets that threaten to jeopardize international relations forever. Co-starring Olivia Williams and Kim Cattrall, it is a taut and shocking thriller from acclaimed director Roman Polanski (The Pianist).
Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray TOP vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
The Film:
There is also a Hitchcock touch in visuals where an incriminating note
is passed from hand to hand; the scene is so well done that it distracts
from the fact that the Ghost didn't need the information in the
note to arrive at the same inference. "The Ghost Writer" is handsome, smooth and persuasive. It is a Well-Made Film. Polanski at 76 provides a reminder of directors of the past who were raised on craft, not gimmicks, and depended on a deliberate rhythm of editing rather than mindless quick cutting. The film immerses you in its experience. It's a reminder that you can lose yourself in a story because all a film really wants to do is tell it. Excerpt from Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times located HERE
The Ghost Writer doesn't seem to excel in any one visual area on Blu-ray but it does appear consistent and equally healthy in all-around image quality. Detail, color and contrast are all adept enough to surmise that this is authentic to the theatrical presentation. There is no evidence of digital manipulation and hints of grain exist but is a shade more blotchy that I would like. There are some nice sequences on the island - beach dunes and wild grasses. The image is reasonably smooth without a lot of texture and only a few significant instances of depth. This Blu-ray appears to be an adequate transfer - dual-layered with a reasonable bitrate. It supported the film for a wonderful and very enjoyable presentation.
I can't tell any strong differences in the video quality between either release. Technically they are very close as well - with a similar file size and bitrate. NOTE: The Optimum starts with the "Ghost" title (see above) - and I am unsure of why this was changed.
Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray TOP vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray TOP vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray TOP vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray TOP vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
Audio :It's hard to really critique audio these days as the modern tracks are virtually flawless renderings. All we can say about the DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2894 kbps is that it supports the film in both the more dynamic areas as well as the subtle ones - and there are a lot of the latter. The track wouldn't be considered aggressive but the score by Alexandre Desplat (who is getting a lot of work these days) sneaks in with amazing clarity while deftly augmenting the suspense and dramatic elements of the narrative. There are optional English and Spanish and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.
Again the audio sounds exactly the same on the European edition as it does on the US release - and the technicals bear that out. This Region 'B' offers a lossless German DUB as an option.
NOTE: Although it has been stated that the US version of The Ghost Writer had the audio self-censored by Summit Entertainment - i.e. by removing/overdubbing curse words - I, honestly never noticed at all. I'll do some side-by-side to see if the European version has this as well. I didn't recall noticing in my viewing but at 1 hour 10-minutes on the Region 'B' disc Olivia Williams does say the word "Fuck"... and at 36:39 the 'C' word is used (gentleman leaving the bar) in the UK Blu-ray - this is dubbed in the US version to 'asshole'. (Thanks Dan!)
Extras :Not as much as I had hoped after my entertaining viewing but we have three featurettes running about 1/2 hour in total - all in HD. The most played will probably be the interview with Roman Polanski although it's clear he could have spoken at great length about the production - certainly there would be enough for a commentary if he was more able to let loose. The Ghost Writer: Fiction or Reality? covers the link of the film plot to reality and conspiracy minded buffs will enjoy indulging in this 10-minutes. The Cast of The Ghost Writer is standard fare for 11-minutes of interviews and discussion of casting etc. The disc is dual-sided with the DVD version being on the opposite side.
This area seems to have the most differences - the European package has the same 3 video supplements as the US (about 1/2 hours worth) but lacks the SD edition on the opposite side of the disc. However, it also adds some footage of the World Premiere in Berlin, an interesting 1/2 hour Press Conference to Berlinale plus some short soundbyte interviews with McGregor (2:11), Brosnan (2:53), Harris (3:58), Olivia Williams (3:23). NOTE: This is where it tucks in the duplicate 8-minute Polanski interview. There is a trailer (2:17 in HD!) and photo gallery (1:30 in HD!). So the Region 'B' offers somewhat more in terms of extras.
Summit Entertainment - Region 'A' Blu-ray LEFT vs. Optimum/Kinowelt/Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray RIGHT
BOTTOM LINE:
Loved this just as much the second time. You may confidently purchase the Region 'B' edition. One of the best Blu-ray thrillers of the year! Gary Tooze July 31st, 2010 September 2010
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
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